Means for effecting print roll register in multicolor printing presses



1951 A. M. BOJANOWER EIAL 2,570,045

MEANS FOR EFFECTING PRINT ROLL REGISTER IN MULTICOLOR PRINTING PRESSES 5Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 24, 1948 R t T NNR 5 mg W 5.6 I m M T r 0 T RR n m ac w Y B 06L 1951 M. BOJANOWER EI'AL 2,570.045

MEANS FOR EFFECTING PRINT ROLL REGISTER IN'MULTICOLOR PRINTING PRESSESFiled Jan. 24, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y Elem/w D. JPmR/vrmv.

flrToRA/EYs.

1951 A. M. BOJANOWER ET AL 2,570,045

MEANS FOR EFFECTING PRINT ROLL REGISTER IN MULTICOLOR PRINTING PRESSES 5Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 24, 1948 IN V EN TORS 1% 55m M 504A MOWER. K/mm 83. SPEARMAN- 1951 A. M. BOJANOWER ET AL 2, 7

MEANS FOR EFFECTING PRINT ROLL REGISTER IN MULTICOLOR PRINTING PRESSESFiled Jan. 24, 1948 5 Shees-Sheet 4 JVVZUVTORS: ALBERT M aumvowsnR/cwmwD. JPEARMAN.

00L 1951 A M. BOJANOWER ETAL 2,570,045

MEANS FOR EF FECTING PRINT ROLL REGISTER IN MULTICOLOR PRINTING PRESSES5 Shee'ts-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 24, 1948 INVENTO [gas/er goumvowne. ICWHRDPEARMHN BY 2 6' T TORNE YS The invention relates A particularly thelaitnfv .mult nleimnressi n o color. printing wherein two or moreseparate impressions must imprin ed .o ain res steru it another sothatthep ttern w ll eh mcse ua .by echan m .Q fil Patented Oct. 2, 1951MEANS FOR EFFECTING PRINT ROLL REGISTER IN MUL TICOLOR PRINT- I AlbertM. Bojanower andRichard D. Spearman,

i Downey, Calif.

ApplicationJanuary 24, 1 94 8 Seria1 No.4, 184

to thep i tine. t

. Intheart f. Q tinu l1.=Q9l9 p inti alfd ampl an important... s ati n.-is; he. a that after a color has been applied to a continuous strip of.prin n pa ertm Dfintaisur- ,face of the paper must be very careiullyhandled so that the color appearinglihereon does not smear. Thislimitation. in the art ofcolor printins necessitates a mechanism for theadjustment ..of...ree trat on ..of u e siv atte ns col whi h W ulnotberequirea at...l a tw not hereto be .int itat l de igne as; wqu

be the c e fmro lers could ew ed u onj i printed. surface of ,thegpap riWhen a continuous multiple-ooiorfpattern is t he pp ed a. con i uo sstrip aper t paper must pass from; one plate cylinder bearing the colorto another plate cylinder bearinga different c l wi h b t a shor d instme b wee thetwo impressions, So that the second iInpression may beinproperregister or in alignmentwith the first, two; adjustments must be aa e, Q e n a tra v r e -.dircct o .and on n a longitudinal direction.The mechanism here invo ved s conc nedp th t e ad ustment o s str o n aon itud na r cti n. th a ius w ment in a transve se d e on bein acc mple o th scop of e present disclosure.

w a. mumsitusisa rislj'eii ct si d t s norma y. 7 -11.. in accorda cuwitha; I rt i pattern wh ch re eats for. e ch e o utio of the platecylinder-used to impres s the pattern 1 .11 1 a continuous strip ofpaper. In -order for an adjustingmeohanism for ,adjustingregistration inadongitudinal direction to be completely successful, ,itshould have alatitude permitting a st th q e o ta y p t n-9 th re ,tern andpreferably in eitherdirection so that no matter Whatthe relationshipmightbe when s e. Pl t trl nders re fi s pl e bat they may be capable ofadjustment The latitude of adjustment has alwaysfbeen such movement '01tance' less thancth'e' length of a complete pattern,

in'many cases, particularly where the pattern is of any appreciablesize.

Interlocking helical "gears have been widely used, but the extent ofadjustment of mechanisms using herringbone gears is very definitelylimited to the'length of the gear teeth or something less.

The latitude of adjustment of herringbone gear full circumference ofsystems is many times less than What mayf be conceived as a 360adjustment throughout the the plate cylinder. Consequently, in usingthis method as illustrative'of "previous attempts to achieve register,application or the plate cylinders initially to the strip of paper tobeprinte'd must be carefully made. An

.initialset-up adjustment must take into consideration the pattern to Su oh an extent that the 1 plate cylinder d must be separately adjustedto bring the different parts of the pattern quite close to registrationbefore such devices as herringbone gears can be registration. 7 I

Other limitations have also existed in the prior used to effect a finalperfect tart. Adjusting devices for the most part have been foundimpossible of manipulationduring operation of the press. Consequently,in setting the press initially for the right registration it, has beenfound necessary to start and stop. the. press a number of times and tomake additional auxiliary; adjustments before the final adjustment ispossible. Moreover, the adjusting mechanisms heretofore known could notbe counted upon to maintainregistration and havenecessitated constantvigilance on the part of operators and a stopping of the presseswhenever inspection reveals poor registration so that a new adjustmentcan be made. in time to prevent great waste of poorly printed paper.Inadjusting mechanisms heretoforeknown the complications of a technicalnature have been such as to very definitely limit the number of platecylinders for diiferent colors which could be'usedin a single multipleprinting operation. v V n i It is, therefore, amongthe objectsotourinvention to provide. a new anddmproved multiple impression"printing machine'in which all impressions may be brought into perfectregistration;

p t t proved multiple color printing machine. wherein u Another objectis to "provide afnew and imany or all of the master patterns used forthe application of different colors may be. adjusted throughout the.entire length of thepatt'ern and wherein, further, if ne edbe, theadjustment may be made in either direction longitudinally with respectto a strip of printing paper.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedadjusting mechanism for multiple impression printing wherein any one orall of the patterns may be subjected to adjustment while the press is infull operation, or, if preferred, when the press is at rstjand whereinthe adjusting mechanism is not under load during normal operation of thedevice.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedadjusting mechanism for multiple impression printing machines Whereinthe registration of the impressions remains fixed once it is properlyadjusted.

Still further among the objects of the invention is to provide a newandimproved adjusting mechanism for multiple color, continuous printingmachines which is positive in operation, delicate of adjustment andeasily manipulated by hand to such an extent that the device can beoperated by relatively inexperienced operators.

Included, also, among the objects of the invention is to provide anadjusting device of the type hereinabove identified which is adjustableto presses of any size, large or small, and which is likewise applicableto presses wherein a great many different impressions or difierentcolors are to be printed upon a single continuous strip of printingpaper by used one or more impression cylinders.

The objects contemplate the provision of a mechanism, the parts of whichare readily accessible for inspection, servicing and repair and whichbeing operated with relatively light loads renders them capable ofmaintaining their perfection of adjustment for as long as the press towhich they are applied continues to operate.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in theconstruction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of thedevice whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinaftermore fully set forth, pointed out in the claims and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which: 7 Figure 1 is an end elevational viewof a printing press incorporating the print roll register mechanism.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view, foreshortened for the purposeof illustration, and

taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of one of the impression rolls takenon the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of one end of oneof the impression rolls taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 5A--5A of Figure5.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of one of thedifferential mechanisms taken V corporated into a printing press devotedto the purpose of printing a continuous pattern upon one side of a longstrip of printing paper. Ordi narily, the particular type of printingpress involved is one of relatively large dimensions which 1 isparticularly well adapted to printing upon. paper measuring two or three"feet or more in width, although narrower widths of paper may be printedon the same machine.

An important feature of this type of press is that it may runcontinuously over long periods of time. It is suitable for printing suchtypes of paper as wrapping paper, wall paper or any other type of paperusually handled in rolls upon which is to be printed either a multiplecolor design or a combination of other patterns or impressions whichmust be brought into correct register one with another.

In the present embodiment the printing press is one fitted to applydistinct and separate patterns upon a continuous strip of paper. Thesemay 'be of different'colors or may differ otherwise, depending upon therequirements of any particular job which might be run.

For practical operationthe press chosen for the purpose of illustrationis equipped with two separate impression rolls, upon each of which isoperative a pair of platecylinders. The invention involves,particularly, a means of changing the register of the impressions of theplate cylinders as they are reproduced upon the strip of paper. -Aspreviously noted, it is only the register ina longitudinal directionwith respect to the strip of paper with which'this invention isconcerned.

'Since there are'ill'ustrated four separate plate cylinders, itisneces'sar'ycnly that three of them be capable of adjustment inasmuchas no adjustment is needed for the initial impression.

Consequently, one of "the plate cylinders can'be into properrelationship with the first.

Another element which is important to con- 'sider in the design andoperation of a multiple impression-printing-machine of the type herein 1described is speed 'of operation. In viewof the costliness of large"machines of this type, they can-be made economically feasible onlywhenrun constantly at a relatively high rate of speed.

To improve the economy of operation of this *type of machineit is highly'desirablethat a setup of plate cylinders ==for a given -'-run may bemade just as quickly as possible and also brought into correct 'registerasquickly as possible. The 1 last requirement is more advantageouslyaccomplished-when'the adjustments can be'made while 'thepress isinoperation and also-wherein once made the adjustments remain fixed.

In the embodiment herein disclosed there is shown a multiple color-printing'press for printing four different-colors'or patterns-on asingle strip of paper, a'n'endview of which appears '-in Figure 1.

cated by the reference character l0, comprises the exterior of themachine. '-In do tted lines there is indicated an-upper im'pression rollH,

A- supporting frame, generally-indi- "a-"lower impression rollH-and-four print rolls or p'latecylinde'rs designated by-the reference icharacters I, 2, 3 and, and operable on the {p per inthe numericalsequence indicated.

' The term impression'roll as used herein "means the entire rollincluding the sundry appurtenances and attachmentsmounted between endplates l3'andl4'of the frame. The impression rolls are those aroundwhich'a strip I5 of f paper is carried and against which the plate 1cylinders press the paper'when ink is transferred from the platecylinder surfaces to the paper.

The plate cylinder or printroll, as customarily referred to in the"printing"trade,' maybe dearte ies scribed as a cylindrical "roll whichbears on its surface a curved rubber dfz'in'c plate or other type ofplate upon which is acontinuous ar rangement of either patterns, figures,or type, or

technique well-known in the printing art, and details will consequentlybe omitted here other than the disclosure of inking rolls I 6 and I! for"each plate cylinder.

In normal operation the strip of paper I is passed over an idler roll I8which presses it against the upper impression roll II.

While pressed against the roll the plate cylinder I makes a firstimpression which may be one color. The paper then passes downwardly intocontact with the lower impression roll I2 and there receives theimpression from the second plate cylinder 2. While still in contact withthe lower impression roll the third cylinder 3 transfers its impressionto the paper on the same surface as the impressions from cylinders I and2. Then the strip of paper leaves the last mentioned impression paperand passes again into contact with the upper impression cylinder II andthere receives the impression from the cylinder 4, after which theprinted strip of paper leaves the machine in the approximate directionindicated by the reference character I5.

This invention relates to a device for shifting the relative rotationalposition of the plate cylinders with respect to each other so that theimpressions which they transfer to the surface of the paper I5 will bein register one with another. The means resorted to in the presentdisclosure consists of a mechanism commonly known as a differentialcontrolled mechanism.

For driving the machine power is received from a drive shaft 20 fromwhich it is transmitted directly to a counter-shaft 2|. Both impressionrolls are geared to the counter-shaft and driven thereby, and theimpression rolls in turn are geared to the plate cylinders and ink rollsthrough a suitable system of gearing so that all of the plate cylindersand impression rolls operate in synchronism.

In the present arrangement plate cylinder 2 is made fixed in itsadjustment with respect to impression roll I2. Therefore, the adjustingmechanism comprising a large part of the subject matter of the presentinvention is made operative -upon only the plate cylinders I, 3 and 4.In accordance with this selected design of the operating parts,powerfrom the drive shaft 20 will, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 3, betransmitted to a casing 22 comprising in part discs 23 and 24, the firstbeing keyed to the drive shaft 20 and the second being keyed to thecounter-shaft 2|.

Upon the counter-shaft 2| is keyed a collar 25 having integrally securedthereto a gear 26,

shown in Figures 2, 3 and 7, which meshes with a gear 21 of relativelylarge diameter. The gear 2? is non-rotatably attached to a short sleeve28 comprising a part of the impression roll I2. It will thus be apparentthat the impression roll I2 and particularly the portion thereof incontact with the plate cylinder 2 has a positive drive connection fromthe counter-shaft.

, Furthermore, as is particularly apparent in Figure 2, from the gear 2!there is a positive drive connection to a pinion 29 on the platecylinder 2, and the pinion 29 meshes with a gear 3p'onthe ink roll I6which in this instance, is

the impression transmitted grouped with the plate cylinder 2. The gear 30 in't'urn meshes with agear 3| of the corresponding'ink roll II. Itwill, therefore, become apparent that the plate cylinder 2 and theimpression roll I2are both positively driven from the shaft 20 and havea fixed rotational arrangement one with respect to the other.

Since in the operation of the device it has been found most advantageousto adjust the register of the plate cylinder I with respect .to theplate cylinder 2 before the register of the platecylinders 3'and 4 areadjusted, a description of the precise mechanism for the adjustment ofthe plate cylinder I is felt will contribute more quickly to anunderstanding of the structural features involved in the adjustingmechanism. This involves an adjustment of the impression roll IIwhichoperates in' conjunction with the plate cylinder I.

In order to make possible an adjustment of that portion of theimpression roll I I which is in contact with the plate cylinder I, samedevice may be provided for momentarily changing the speed of rotation ofthe impression roll II with respect to the speed of rotation of theimpression cylinder I2 so as, in effect, to throw them slightly out ofstep with each other.

' The invention herein disclosed relates to a mechanism which is capableof either momentarily increasing the speed or decreasing the speed ofthe impression roll II with respect tothe imipression roll I2 so thatthe alignment of the pattern printed upon the paper by the platecylinder I may be advanced or retarded with respect to by the platecylinder 2 to bring about a perfect register of the two. This adjustmentis accomplished in part by a differential mechanism contained largelywithin a differential housing 35 which cooperates with a gear trainarrangement contained chiefly within the casing 22 previously referredto.

The mechanism for adjusting the register'of both plate cylinders 3 and 4is controlled by differential mechanisms of the same kind, and adescription of one, as illustrated in detail in Figure 6, will sufficefor all three so far as this portion of the adjustment is concerned.

The differential housing 35, as illustrated in Figure 3, is locatedcentrally with respect to the sides of the end plate 30 and below theaxis of the counter-shaft 2!, as is apparent in Figure 2.

As represented in detail in Figure 6, the differential consists ofthe-housing 35, a differential input shaft 36, a differential outputshaft 31 and oppositely disposed bevel gears 38 and 39 mounted rotatablyupon their respective axes within the rotatable housing which mesh withbevel gears 40 and 4|, respectively, on the input shaft and theoutputshaft. A gear 42 on the input shaft 36 meshes with a pinion 43 which iskeyed upon the counter-shaft 2I. As a result of this arrangement, thecounter-shaft is in positive driving relationship with the input shaft36 of the differential, and this in turn drives the output shaft 37,normally at the same rate of speed as the input shaft.

By reference to Figure 1 it will be foundthat the output shaft 311islocated centerablyand below the axis of the counter-shaft, itselflocated mid-way between the axis of the upper and lower impression rollsII and I2. Keyed to the output shaft is a sprocket 45 connected by achain 46 to a smaller sprocket 41. The smaller sprocket is keyed toacentral shaft 48 which .hand wheel 14.

\ tion.

7 is rotatably mounted within the counter-shaft 2i as will be apparentin Figure 7. This means that the central shaft 48 is driven through thedifferential.

Figure '7 illustrates the gear train by means of which power travelingfrom the differential through the central shaft 48 is transmitted to andenabled to rotate the impression roll ll. As a result of thisinter-connection of transmitting gears, it will become apparent that thespeed of rotation of the impression cylinder ll may be controlled tosome extent and varied by manipulation of the differential justdescribed. This change in speed, it Will be appreciated, is onlymomentary but is sufiicient to change the register of impressions fromthe plate. cylinders a sufficient amount to register any circumferentialpatterns on the surfaces of the plate cylinders; that is to say, in thisinstance plate cylinders l and 2.

Specifically, the central shaft 48 is connected by means of a pair ofbevel gears 49, 50 to a stub shaft journaled upon brackets 52 and 53which extend inwardly from the disc 24 in the casing 22. The stub shaft5|, as illustrated, is at right angles to the axis of the counter-shaft,and the axes of the two shafts5l and 48 intersect.

Also located upon the'stub shaft 5| is a worm wheel 54', and meshingwith the worm wheel is a worm gear 55 which is, in turn, mounted upon asecond stub shaft 56 extending through the 'disc 2'4 and eccentricallylocated relative to the center of the disc. At the other end of the stubshaft 56 is a gear 51 which meshes with an internal gear 58 locatedwithin a pocket 59 formed on the hollow interior surface of a geared orfriction head 6|].

The geared head 60 is provided, also, with an external gear, in thisinstance embodied in a gear or pinion 6| keyed to an extension 62 of thegeared head 60. r The pinion 5 I, as illustrated best in Figure 3,meshes with a large ringgear 63 which is an integral portion of theimpression roll H. Consequently, the impression roll H is connected bymeans of the gear train just described'through the differential to thecountershaft as contrasted with the positive gear drive from thecounter-shaft through the gears 26 and l3 and has keyed to its outerenda worm gear 69. This construction is well illustrated in Figure 6.

In Figures 1 and 3 the worm gear 69 is shown meshing with a worm wheel10, and the worm wheel in turn'is mounted upon an adjusting rod lljournaled in brackets 12 and I3 onthe outside face of the end plate I3and provided with a It is, therefore, apparent that by rotating thehandwheel 14 the differential housing 35 is also rotated a correspondingamount, and this rotation may be in either direc- V Rotation of thedifferential housing 35 makes effective a change of speed of the outputshaft 31 with respect to the input shaft 36; hence, anyrotatingmechanism controlledbythe output -shaft will experience 'achange inspeed with relation to the counter-shaft as a result of rotation of thedifferential housing. This means that since the impression roll I2 ispositively driven by the counter-shaft and since the impression roll His controlled through the differential, the impression roll H may beadjusted with respect to the impression roll l2; 7

The result of adjustment of the impression rolls with respect to eachother is an adjustment of the register of impressions from the platecylinders upon the paper. It will be clear, also, from the foregoingdescription that the impression rolls may be adjusted relative to eachother while the machine is in operation or when the machine is static.The advance or retardationof speed of one with respect to the other ismerely momentary and not of great magnitude.

A careful examination of the structure shown in Figure 7 will revealthat the geared head 60' is permitted to rotate with respect to thecasing 22, and this is necessary in order to achieve the adjustmentabovedescribed. The geared head 60 is shown bearing upon a friction ring75 which is received within a recess it of the disc 24. Forpressing'the' geared head into frictional engagement there are provideda series of coiled springs ll retained by plugs '58 in suitableapertures 19 spaced 'circumferentially about the collar 25. Thesesprings press in an axial direction against the geared head with a veryconsiderable amount of force. The collar 25 is, in turn, fixed withrelation to the counter-shaft 2|.

Normally, the geared head and the casing 22 rotate together, but whenthe differential housing is rotated, the geared head is rotated slightlyrelative to the casing 25 against the force of friction which isconstantly present. The plugs 18 provide an adjustment for the tensioneffect of the springs'il. Screws 39 make possible removal of the disc 2from the casing 22.

For adjusting the plate cylinders 3 and 4 separate independentdifferential mechanisms are provided, both located adjacent the endplate I3 and grouped about the differential identified by the housing35, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. As there shown, a differentialidentified with a housing operates to adjust the register of platecylinder a, and a differential identified with a housing 86 is effectivein adjusting the register of plate cylinder 3. V 1

Since the mechanical principle involved in each of the last namedinstances is identical, the structure and operation'of the differentialidentified with the housing 55 and'its relationship to the platecylinder 3 only will be described in detail. In this connection, theconstruction of the impression rolls is important, and for illustrationthe structure of the impression roll I2 is shown in detail in Figures 4,Band 5A.

In 'Figure 2, for example, there is shown a sprocket {if on thecounter-shaft 2 i connected by means of a chain88 to a sprocket 89mounted upon the input shaft of the differential housing 56. In thisinstance, the input shaft will be precisely like the input shaft 36'previously de scribed in connection with the differential housing 35 inFigured Theinterior mechanism of the differential housing 86 is likewisesimilar to that of the differential housing'35 as is also the rotationalmounting ofthe differential housing 85 within a ring 66.

The differential housing 86' is provided'with an output shaft Stat theoutside end of which is mounted a sprocket 9| connected to a sprocketamp 92 one. shaft 93 by means of a chain 94 in a one-' to-one relation.The [shaft 93 is centrally located I within a hollow shaft 95 which, inturn; supports the "left endof the impression roll I2 within the endplate I3. A corresponding'shaft 96 supports the opposite or right-handend of the impression roll I2 upon the end plate I4. The left end of theshaft. 96 is visible in Figure 3, but the relationship to the remainingportions of the device is more clearly illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.

To make it possible for the adjusting mechanism to work, the impressionroll I2 may be constructed in a manner similar in a very general way tothe structure shown in Figure 7. This means that what has hereinbeforebeen designated as the impression r011 I2.in fact consists of animpression cylinder s1 and a geared or friction head 98 held infrictional engagement with the impression cylinder. Ifhese and otherwork ing parts may be construed as constituting, when assembled asshown,"the impression roll.

More specifically,'the geared headcomprises an internal-external gearhaving a hollow in-' terior cavity or recess99and an annular edge Ibearing frictio'n'ally against an annular ring IoI confined within arecess I02 situated on the face of a"c ircular'plate I I13 attached byscrews I'M to theleft'end of the impression cylinder.

Inorder'to hold th geared head in frictional en a em nmhre is provided acollar I shown in"consid'erable detail in Figures 5 and 5A. The

collar has the shape of a split ring having a split lnqa-bn 'one'siussmen permits the collar to be clamped innamrotsudnarengag ment with thehollow shaft 95 by means of fa "screw I01.

Within the eollarfare-a series of four apertures I 08, and in eachapertureis {a coiledspring I09 held m place by an adjustable lug 1 In.The

springa -in turn, bear' against a wear plate III on theleft' face of'th'e geared head '98. Pressure of the springs; which is normally-ofconsiderable force, press'es the geared head into'snug frictionalengagement with the circular plate I03 of the impression cylinder.- Itwill b'e apparent that the geared head is free to rotate relativeto theimp'ressioncylinder when sufficient force is exerted to overcome thefrictional resistance between them. 1

The shaft 93 is. provided with a bevel gear I I2 meshing with anotherbevel gear I I 3' on a stub shaft H4. The stub'shaft; in turn, isjournaled upon brackets II5 an'd I l6 forming' parts of the circularplate I113. The axis ofthe stub shaft H4 is. perpendicular to.a'ndrintersects the axis of the 'shaftu93- Keyed to =the=stub shaft H4is a wormzwheel I I1 shown meshing with a worm gear I I8 inturn keyedtoalstub-shaft I I9 eccentrically jourlnaled within the circular plate I03; A pinion IZILke'yed to.. the other .end of the stub shaft I I9meshes." with. an internal gear. I2I within the traced in Figuresl i and5.

Now,.b'y an examination ofthe lower right portion of: Figure 2, it canbe observed that an external gearflI22 on-ther geared head 98 meshesFor'rotatingthe diiferential housing as there is "provided a; worm "gearI3Il rneshing with *a worm wheel I3I in turn operated by a shaft I 32towhichis connecteaa hand wheel I33. Rotation of the hand wheel I33rotates the difieren-- tial housing 86, and this rotation eitheraIdvances or retards the relative rotational posie tion of the gearedhead 98 with respect to the position of the impression cylinder 91 andalso with respect to the relative rotational position of the impressionroll I I and its corresponding geared head I34.- This means that theimpression transmitted from .the plate cylinder 3-to the siontransmitted by the plate cylinder I to the sheet of paper.

The same construction in general applies to the mechanism associatedwith the differential housing 85. In the last instance, a hand wheel I35acting through a worm wheel I3 6 and worm gear I3'I rotates thedifferential housing .85. This, in

turn, through a sprocket I38 on a differential output shaft I39 rotatesa shaft I40 by means .of a chain II and sprocket I42, thereby caussogeared: head: 98. This. gear'train can readily be ing rotation of thegeared head I with, re

spect to the impression portion of the plate roll II and with respect toall of the other rotating parts of the press.

For supporting in place the plate cylinders,

mounting blocks I50 are used which carry the ends of shafts I5I uponwhich the plate cylinders may be adjusted in an endwise direction andthus set in proper register in a transverse direction. Locking wheelsI53 fix the adjustment once it is made.

Other blocks I54 support the ink rolls, and the blocks I54 together withthe blocks I50 ateither end of the plate cylinder may be moved towardand away from the impression roll by manipula tion of a hand Wheel I55.The blocks, in turn, ride upon square shafts I56 located edgewise asillustrated inFigureB. Details of the mountingsand adjusting deviceslast described are set forth in detail in co-pending application, SerialNo. 716,550, filed December 16, 1946, which matured: into Patent2,542,229. dated February 20, 1951.

In operation of the printing machine involving the present disclosureand the print roll register devices just described the sheet of paper I5is fed into the machine around the roller I8 and against the impressionroll I I as previously noted. The sheet of paper passes. over both imression rolls as illustrated in Figure 1. Normally, and likewise asheretofore described, the plate cylinder 2 is in fixed relationship tothe impression roll I2 and the paper. All ,of the other plate cylindersare adjusted with relation to the plate cylinder 2. In a preferredsequence of adjustment the register of plate cylinder I is nextadjusted, and this is accomplished by operation of the hand wheel which,through the differfroi n the gear as at the righ'tend of the plate rollII as viewed in Figure 3.

Inthe preferred order of adjustment the plate cylinder3 is next set inregister with the combineii r s o ate ylind nd 2 his is accomplished bymanipulation of the hand h e I33 h n, o e a in upon: th di ferentialidentified with the differential-housing 86, causes the geared head 98to be adjusted relative to, the other rotating parts. The plate cyl-,inder '3, being positively driven by the geared head 98, takes itsadjustment in this manner and causes the plate cylinder 3 to rotaterelative to rotation of plate cylinders I and 2. This is sufficient tobring the impressions of plate cylinders I, 2 and 3 into registrationwith each other.

Finally, by operation of hand wheel I35 registration of the platecylinder 4 is effected by manipulation of the differential mechanism ofthe differential housing 85 in company with rotation of the geared head134. This is possible because the plate cylinder-4 is positively drivenby the geared head I34 and thereby is made to rotate relative to theother three plate cylinders.

What is further significant is the fact that when the press is inoperation both impression rolls, all of the plate cylinders and all ofthe differential gearing, together with the geared heads, operatetogether and in synchrony. The housings only of differentials 35, 85 and86 remain stationary; These move only when they are deliberately movedby manipulation of their respective hand wheels. Because of thisintercone nection, the adjustment of register of any one of the platecylinders may be made at any time. Moreover, the adjustment isunlimited; that is to say, any one of the differential housings may berotated throughout an arc of 360, once, twice or as many times as needbe. depending upon the gear ratios, the diameter of the plate cylin dersand other factors.

The patterns, of course, will not exceed in ex: tent the circumferenceof the plate cylinder. Sincethere is unlimited rotation of thedifferential housings, the adjustment may run clear through any pattern.Consequently, when the plate cylinders are set up initially, no morecareneed be taken than to place the plate cylinder in contactwith theimpression roll to a sufficient extent to make an even impression overthe length of the roll. No attention at all need be given to the initialregister of the plate cylinder in a longitudinal direction. This can allbe taken care of by manipulation of the hand wheels and their respectivedifferential mechanisms.

It isclear, also, that although the impression rolls may be made for theaccommodation of strips of paper of relatively great width, narrowerstrips of paper may be printed in the press since it is necessary to dono more than limit the printing portions of the plate cylinders to alength no greater than that necessary to print paper of correspondinglynarrow width.

In a press of the type described the printing may be run just as fast asis in keeping with the type of paper and ink selected. Great speeds canbe attained without the rapid operation being detrimental to theprinting of multiple colors upon the paper since once adjusted theregister is held.

Because of ease in manipulating the adjustment, relatively fewattendants are needed for presses of. this kind which results in greateconomy in their operation. Because of it being possible to easilyadjust the register, the printing paper results in very few seconds orpoor runs and is consequently productive of an additional saving.

Moreover, because of the fact that the working ease, and in case certainof the parts become worn and need replacement for any reason, the wornor otherwise damaged parts may be removed without it being necessary todismantle remain- 7 ing portions of the machine.

The system herein described is particularly effective in that itprovides an adjusting device embodied in the differential mechanismwhich, although rotating in s ynchronism with the operating parts, isnot subject to a load durin mal operation of the machine. This iseffected by employment of the worm wheel I ll, 54 etc, as the case maybe, which blocks the return of power through the differential. Thisconstruction promotes minimum wear of the differential parts, use oflighter weight differential parts, a decrease in the power necessary toturn the manual COD; trols and the ability, because of minimization ofwear, to hold a closer register.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what isconceived to be the. most within the scope of the invention, which isnot to be limited to the details disclosed herein but to be accorded thefull scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalentstructures The invention having been herein described, what is claimedand sought to be secured by Letters Patent is;

1. In a continuous printing machine a frame, an impression rollrotatably mounted on the frame, plate cylinders rotatably mounted on theframe in parallel relationship with the impression roll, a drive shaftfor the impression roll and plate cylinders, said impression rollcomprising an impression cylinder having a positive drive connection tothe drive shaft and a portion thereof in rotationally variable contacttherewith, one of said plate cylinders having a positive driveconnection to the drive shaft, a 'rotatablyvariable connection betweenthe other plate cylinder and the impression cylinder, said variableconnection comprising said portion and a change speed mechanism.

2. In a continuous printing machine a frame, an impression roll'rotatably mounted on the frame, plate cylinders 'rotatably mounted onthe frame in parallel relationshipwith the impressanism, thedifferential mechanism comprising a housing rotatably mounted on theframe, an ins put shaft on the housing positively driven from the driveshaft, an output shaft on the housing, differential gears between saidinput andsaid output shafts, said outputshaft having a positive driveconnection with said portion, a positive drive connection between saidportion and said other plate cylinder, and means for adjustably rotatingsaidhousing whereby to change the ro-Z tational relationship between theplate cylinders.

3.. a cont nu us ieiine mac ine a fram animpression roll rotatablymounted sion roll, ink rollers for said plate cylindersand a hollowcountershaft adaptedto-driVe said-impression roll, said impressionrollcomprising an" impression cylinder having a fixed gear connection to thecountershaft and an internal-external geared head in frictional drivingcontactw-ith the impression cylinder and adapted to berotated relativethereto, one of saidplate cylinders having a tangential contact with theimpression cylinder and a positive drive connection to the' countershaft, the other plate cylinder having a rotatably variablerelationship with the first plate cylinder and having a rotatingconnectionwith said impression roll including said geared head and adiiferentialmechanism, the differential mechanism comprising a housingrotatably mounted whereby to change the rotational relationshipbe tweensaid other plate cylinder and jointly said impressioncylinderandftheffirst plate cylinder.

4. In a continuous printing machine a frame, a plurality of impressionrolls rotatably mounted on the frame, a plurality of plate cylinders foreach impression roll rotatably mounted on the frame, and a drive shaftmember adapted to drive said impressionrolls, theimpression rollscomprising impression cylinders and frictionally engaged rotatingportions, said drive shaftmember having positive and impositivedriveconnections to the impression cylinders; the, positive driveconnection'being' to one only of said impression cylinderssaidimpositive drive including an adjustable drive link comprising a rotating drum having a frictionally ,engagedrotating portion, a positivedrive connection between each said impression roll rotatingp'ortion andTonen'f said plate,cylindersanother of said plate cyline ders having apositive drive connection with one of said impression cylinders and thelast remaining plate cylinder having a positive drive con-' nection withthe drive shaft member, and means for varying the rotationalrelationship between the plate cylinders comprising a variable speeddevice in each impositive drive connection.

5. In a continuous printing machine a frame, a pair of impression rollsrotatably mounted on the frame, a pair of plate cylinders for eachimpression roll rotatably mounted. on the frame, and a drive shaftmember adapted to drive said impression rolls, the impression rollscomprising each an impression cylinder and an auxiliary portion having afriction drive connection therewith, said drive shaft member having apositive drive connection to one impression cylinder and an adjustabledrive connection to another impression cylinder, said last driveconnection including a drum having an auxiliary portion in drivingengagement with said last impression cylinder, a positive gearconnection between each said impression roll auxiliary portion and oneof said plate cylinders, another of said plate cylinders having apositive drive connection with one of said impressioncylinders, and thelast remaining plate cylinder having a positive drive connection withthe drive shaft member, and means for Iltthe frame, plate cylindersrotatablymounted on- -theb frame in parallel relationship =-with theimpres varying the-rotational relationship betvv een the 3 platecylinders comprising an adjustably variable speed device between thedrive shaft member and" each said auxiliary-portion. I

6. In a continuous printing machine a frame,

a pair of impression rolls rotatably mounted on the frame, a pair ofplate cylinders for each im pression roll rotatably mounted on theframe,--

inking rolls for said plate cylinders anda drive shaft member adapted todrive said impressionrolls,-the impressionrolls comprisingeach animpression cylinder, an internal-externalgeared head at one endof theimpression cylinder hav ing a friction drive connection therewith and afixed gear at the other end of the impression cyl inder, said driveshaft member having a positive gear connection to one impressioncylinder, an impositive gear connection to a second impres sion cylinderincluding a rotating drum co'n'cen trio with said drive shaft member,said drum having an'internal-external gearin driving engage ment withsaid impositively connected impression" cylinder, a positivegear'connection between each said geared head and one of said platecylinders,

another of said plate cylinders remaining havinga positive driveconnection Withthe drive shaft member and beingin fixedrotationaladjustment with one of said impressioncylind'ers; and the lastcylinder remaining having a positivedriv" connection with the other ofsaid impression cyl inders,*and means for varying the rotationalrelationship between each gearedhead connected plate cylinder and saidimpos itive1y connected impression cylinder respectively to the driveshaft :connected plate cylinder comprising a diiferen tial gearconnection between the drive shaft member and respectively saidgeared'head tennected plate cylinders andsaid impositively connectedimpression cylinder, said differential gear connection including arotationally mounted housing, and means for rotating said housingwhereby to adjust the register of said plate cyl inders with relation'toeach other. H v 7. In a continuous printing machine a frame, a

pair of impression rolls rotatably mounted on the frame, a platecylinder for each impression roll;

in tangential contact therewith, and a drive shaft for rotating saidimpression rolls, a positive drive" connection between one of saidimpressionrolls and the drive shaft, positive drive connections betweenthe plate cylinders and the respective impression rolls, and meansadapted to vary the rotational relationship between said plate cylinderswhereby to shift the register of plate cyl inder impressions on printpaper passing over said impression rolls, said means comprising amanually adjustable variable speed mechanism between the drive shaft andthe other of said impression rolls, said mechanism comprising a housingmounted on the frame, manually adjustable means connected to saidhousing, an input shaft in the housing positively driven from the driveshaft and an output shaft, a drum housing, a friction head thereon, abevel gear train in the drum housing in rotatable contact with saidfriction head, and a positive drive connection between said frictionhead and the other of said impression rolls.

8. In a continuous printing machine a frame, a pair of impression rollsrotatably mounted on the frame, a plate cylinder for each impressionroll in tangential contact therewith, and a drive shaft for rotatingsaid impression rolls, a. posito vary the rotational relationshipbetween said impression rolls whereby to shift the register of platecylinder impressions on print paper passing over said impression rollscomprising a differential mechanism between the drive shaft and theother of said impression rolls, said differential mechanism comprising ahousing rotatably mounted on the frame, manually adjustable means forrotating said housing, an input shaft in the housing positively drivenfrom the drive shaft, an output shaft and a concentric shaft within saiddrive shaft positively driven from said output shaft, aninternal-external gear concentrically mounted on the drive shaft, a drumhousing in frictional engagement therewith, a bevel and worm gear trainmounted in the drum housing and in rotatable contact with saidinternal-external gear, and a positive gear connection between saidinternal-external gear and the other of said impression rolls.

9. A mechanism for adjusting the relative rotation of parts of acomposite roll, the parts of which include a cylindrical member andanother member comprising a hollow head in rotatable frictionalengagement with the first member, a frame to support the mechanism,means adapted to hold said members in frictional engagement, a driveshaft, a positive drive connection between the drive shaft and one ofsaid members, and a variable speed mechanism between the drive shaft andthe other of said members, said mechanism including a retainer rotatablymounted on the frame, rotational means therein having an input end andan output end, and a positive drive connection between the imput end ofthe rotational means and the member comprising said hollow head.

10. A mechanism for adjusting the register of plate cylinders bearinginsignia intended to cooperate in the'production of a composite patterncomprising a frame, an impression roll having a cylindrical impressionsurface and a head in rotatable frictional engagement therewith, meansadapted to hold said head in frictional engagement with the impressioncylinder, a pair of plate cylinders in parallel tangential contact withthe impression roll, a drive shaft and a variable speed mechanism, saidmechanism including a retainer rotatably mounted on the frame adapted 16to house the remaining portions of said mechanism, an input shaftpositively driven by said drive shaft, an output shaft, a positive driveconnection between the output shaft and said head, a

; positive drive connection between the head and one of said platecylinders, a positive drive connection between the drive shaft and theother of said pair of plate cylinders, and manually actuated meansadapted to adjust the rotational position of the retainer.

11. A mechanism for adjusting the register of plate cylinders bearinginsignia intended to cooperate in the production of a composite patterncomprising a frame, an impression roll having a cylindrical impressionsurface and a head in rotatable frictional engagement therewith, meansadapted to hold said head in frictional engagement with the impressioncylinder, a drive shaft and a variable speed mechanism, said mechanismincluding a rotating means rotatabl mounted on the frame, a positivedrive connection between the rotating means and said head includingbevel and worm gears in the impression cylinder, a pinion rotatablymounted in an eccentric location at the end of the impression cylinderand located within said head, an internal gear in the head meshing withthe pinion, and a positive drive connection between the head and one ofsaid plate cylinders.

ALBERT M. BOJ AN OWER. RICHARD D. SPEARMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The-following references are of record in'the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Numher Name Date 805,172 Waldron Nov. 21, 19051,027,384 Green May 24, 1912 1,080,978 Johnston Dec. 9, 1913 1,101,951Oliva June 30, 1914 1,512,994 Marquardt Oct. 28, 1924 1,691,745 WaldronNov. 13, 1928 1,886,528 Cottrell 1- Nov. 8, 1932 2,151,570 Shoults et alMar. 21, 1939 2,256,800 Barber Sept. 23, 1941 2,256,801 Barber Sept. 23,1941 2,416,495 Piazze Feb. 25, 1947

